Easy Ways That Parents Can Use to Build Self Esteem in Girls

Girls are a joy to have in any family.  They do, however, bring their own unique set of issues and needs.  Girls’ self-esteem can be very fragile and easily damaged.  They take every word and expression to heart and feel things more deeply than boys do.  These traits can be good, but they can also make girls very vulnerable to self-esteem issues.

One way to build a girl's self-esteem is to make her comfortable with her body.  Girls are taught by society from a very young age that in order to be beautiful, you must be thin.  While good eating habits should be taught and encouraged from a very young age, girls should not be preoccupied with their weight.  As mothers, we need to be at ease with our own bodies so that we can teach our daughters to have a healthy self-image.  Girls should be taught that their self-worth is derived not from their dress size, but from the quality of their character.

This is an easy thing to do for mothers and fathers to write an affirming "I Treasure You" note. For example, you might write:

"Dear Jane,

I really treasure you. You are growing from our little princess into a queen. Although it may seem like a trying time, I  believe that you are beautiful person now and will always become even more so as you continue to grow. I am so proud that you are my daughter.

Love,

Mom"

Girls with low self-confidence tend to shy away from social settings.  While parents should not force kids to be the center of attention, it is good for girls to routinely attend social events.  These can be with a small or large group.  The more time they spend with others, the more comfortable they will become.  You can make it easier for her by ensuring that at least one of your daughter's friends will be there also.  This way she can get the social exposure with the least amount of discomfort.

Physical development can be a source of low self-confidence for girls.  A girl whose chest appears sooner or later than her peers can be subject to great distress.  Your child may want a bra before she really needs it because all her friends are already wearing one.  On the flip side, girls who need a bra sooner may feel embarrassed to wear one for fear of what others will say.  Talk to your child about the changes in her body and help her find the solution that works best for her.

Each child has a natural talent.  These vary widely and may not be of a conventional nature.  Watch your child and see what she loves and excels at.  Once you have helped her identify a talent, give her the resources necessary to cultivate it.  Knowing that she is good at something is a great source of confidence for girls. Write an "I Treasure You" note to let her know that you treasure her talents and that she will use them to make life more beautiful for others.

Issues of girls and self-confidence are well known.  Knowing what to do when it comes up in your child's life can relieve stress for both of you.  Let your daughter know how much you love her just as she is and how special you think she is.  These things will go a long way toward improving her self-esteem.